thanks all for your inputs.
finally, for about rs. 700 more (processor+mobo) over celeron, i got an athlon x2 dual core!! 'cool&quiet' and pretty fast with 1gb ram.
any recos for the linux distro?
-for a relatively nub (dabbled with redhat 7 last)
-need an easy installer (for dual boot)
-need AMP (preferrably out of the box) & gimp
so what say?